Top 10 Alan Rickman Moments

Earlier this week, we lost one of the most distinctive British voices in geek culture, and I’m not even talking about the unfortunate loss of David Bowie. We remember Alan Rickman in his top 10 best roles.

Alan Rickman, most famous for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movies, died on January 14 at the age of 69. Rickman was one of the most versatile actors on stage and screen. Rickman had a chameleon like ability to often be visually unrecognizable as he shifted between heroes and villains (although it’s the villains he’s best remembered for), but the moment spoke his first line, you knew exactly who he was, and you knew that whatever you could say about the movie, you could count on Rickman’s talent to make every scene he was in a treat.

I can’t say that I can find fault with Rickman being best remembered for his role as Snape. Few actors would have been able to take a character who starts as an almost cartoonish villain in the first film and gradually but convincingly transform him into a heartbreakingly tragic antihero over the course of the next seven films. Amongst a whole slew of heavyweights from the British acting world, Rickman steals nearly every scene he’s in and delivers some of the franchise’s most memorable lines and moments. That said, Harry Potter isn’t the only time Rickman has stolen the show. Despite being almost always in a supporting role, Rickman has been the best part of a whole bunch of well-loved films.

10. Professor Snape’s Potter Delivery – Harry Potter

Every time Snape says “Mister Potterrrr” in all the Harry Potter films. It never gets old.

9. Alexander Dane’s Actor Annoyance – Galaxy Quest

Sir Alexander Dane’s Shakespearean crisis in Galaxy Quest. (Hang on until the end of the clip for a truly exquisite “damn you.”)

8. Snape’s Smackdown – Harry Potter

The Ron/Harry double-tap in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It’s that pre-slap cuff adjustment that really makes it.

7. Metatron Badass Entry – Dogma

Metatron’s fiery entrance in Dogma. If I was God, I’d pick Alan Rickman to be my voice, too.

6. Colonel Brandon’s Rescue – Sense and Sensibility

Colonel Brandon rescuing Marianne in Sense and Sensibility. Does choosing floppy-haired Hugh Grant really make Elinor the sensible Dashwood sister. I’d rather have Colonel Brandon carry me through the rain any day. Pneumonia be damned. I can’t find a video clip of this scene that doesn’t have some terrible pop ballad playing over top of it, so you’ll just have to take my word on this one.

5.Yippee-ki-Gruber – Die Hard

Hans Gruber’s “Yippee-ki-yay” reprise in Die Hard.

4. Saddest Robot Ever – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The delightfully depressed Marvin in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

3. Saddest Wizard Ever – Harry Potter

Snape reveals his patronus to Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

2. Saddest Rickman Ever – Rickman/Harry Potter

This video of Alan Rickman describing what has probably become his best known and most beloved character, Professor Snape.

1. Worst Christmas Ever – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

And because I didn’t want to end on a sad note, here’s the Sheriff of Nottingham cancelling Christmas in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Honourable Mention: Remember how I said I didn’t want to end things on a sad note. I lied. Watch this incredible video of Snape’s important scenes from all the Harry Potter films in chronological order and prepare to have Alan Rickman break your heart all over again.

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